St Peter’s Pool and Il Kalanka, Malta

St Peter’s Pool and Il Kalanka are stunning natural bathing areas on the southeast coast of the Mediterranean island of Malta.  Their glistening turquoise waters are a high point of a visit to Malta. 

In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about St Peter’s Pool and Il Kalanka, based on my personal experience of exploring both. You’ll learn how to get there, what to do, where to park, and my tips on how to avoid the crowds.

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St Peter’s Pool, Malta and Il Kalanka

A trip to St Peter’s Pool and Il Kalanka should be on any Malta itinerary.  A 30-minute walk from the village of Marsaxlokk, you’ll find these two rustic coves that attract both visitors and locals for a dip in their sparkling blue pools.

Both areas are similar, so spend time at both or pick your favourite. They are one of the top Instagram spots in Malta.

Malta is a great place for a swim. 94.3% of the bathing waters in Malta achieved the highest rank of “excellent” according to the European Environment Agency 2022 Report.

Things to Do

The main attraction here is the water itself. You can swim, snorkel, or just float in the turquoise water at both locations.

There are several spots where you can jump from different heights. My husband was brave enough to do this, I stuck to watching from a safe distance on our visits.

Whilst you’re here, spend time basking on the rocks and disconnecting.

If the main areas by the coves are busy, walk along the Delimara coast, around the left-hand corner at each spot (looking out to sea).  I had a lot of fun scrambling along the rough terrain here and finding incredible rock formations and taking photos. When you’re ready to post your images, check out this bumper list of two word captions for Instagram.

The nearby village of Marsaxlokk is worth wandering, with its colourful Luzzo (traditional Maltese boats) bobbing in the harbour.  Although it is overshadowed by the industrial Delimara chimneys.

How to Get to St Peter’s Pool and Il Kalanka

There are several ways to get to St Peter’s Pool and Il Kalanka:

By Bus

There is no direct bus, but the nearest village of Marsaxlokk is only a 30-minute walk away.  It’s a pleasant walk along the harbour and through the countryside (if you can ignore the Delimara chimneys and tankers spoiling the view).

• From Valletta take bus #81 or #85.
• From St Julian’s or Sliema, take bus #TD2 to Valletta and then #85 to Marsaxlokk.
• Check the Maltese Public Transport website for other routes.

For more info on travelling in Malta, check out my guide to Getting Around Malta by Public Transport.

walk from Marsaxlokk

• At the harbour, head past the Tourist Information, onto Triq il Wilga.
• At the T-junction with a road named Power House, take a right and continue for five minutes until you see a sign for St. Peter’s Pool, on the left.
• Follow the track, which looks like it comes to a dead end on Google maps but it doesn’t, it bends left then right and joins a tarmac road, Triq Delimara.  Turn right at this road.
• After five minutes, turn left at the sign for St Peter’s Pool. Follow the track for five minutes and you’ll reach your destination.
• For Il Kalanka, don’t turn off, continue on Triq Delimara for about ten minutes, turn left where the road forks to the coast and cross the parking area.

Map of Walk to St Peter’s Pool, Malta and Il Kalanka

By Boat

A fun way to get to St Peter’s Pool and Il Kalanka is by boat from Marsaxlokk. You can find operators offering trips for 10 euros return. Look for signs at the harbour or ask around.

By Car, Scooter or Taxi

If walking doesn’t suit, you can get to St Peter’s Pool and Il Kalanka by taxi as Uber operates all over Malta.  

Hiring a car is also a popular way to get around Malta.  Discover Cars are recommended as a great place to compare prices.  Malta is cheap for car hire.  Free parking is available next to both St Peter’s Pool and Il Kalanka.

Driving time from Valletta is about 25 minutes and from St Julian’s is about 35 minutes.

Another quick way to get to St Peter’s Pool and Il Kalanka is to rent a scooter whilst you’re in Malta. You can use it to get to multiple locations in one day.

Combine a trip to St Peter’s Pool and Il Kalanka with other incredible places in Malta for your own road trip.

How to Beat the Crowds

St Peter’s Pool is stunning, so it’s not surprising that this Maltese swiming spot is popular. 

During summer, get here as early as you can to beat the crowds.

Il Kalanka is less well-known, so head here if you want to swim in a similar setting but with less crowds.

Another tip from my experience, is to head a short distance around the left-hand corner (as you look out to sea) and explore the rock formations and salt pans.  I’ve spent hours walking the coast here and come across only a handful of people. 

Facilities

One of the best things about this part of Malta is its wild and natural formation.  However, this means that there are no toilets, sunbeds or cafes at either area. 

Take everything you need with you or fill up on supplies at the supermarket in Marsaxlokk before you head to St Peter’s Pool and Il Kalanka.  Don’t forget to take sun screen and water, Malta gets hot in summer.

During the summer there are ladders to help swimmers get in and out of the sea.

Wrap Up

St Peter’s Pool and Il Kalanka offer adventure and the opportunity to relax in natural surroundings.  They are one of the best reasons to visit Malta. Don’t forget to check out the beautiful beaches on the island of Gozo as well whilst in Malta.